Madinat Ras Soma Travel Guide

Travel to Madinat Ras Soma

Abu Soma stands on a headland peninsula along the breezy Kriasi Bay, lapped by the sparkling Red Sea. Desert scenery behind you. Turquoise waters ahead. You can relax all day at the water’s edge, or crank up your lifestyle to a fever pitch with activities on land and at sea.

Feel the breeze in your hair and bask in the sunlight on the soft, sandy beach. Or better yet, sail on sailor – this bay is perfect for windsurfing and kite surfing. There’s as much going on under the water as above. You can slip on a mask and snorkel, blow some bubbles and feel your troubles melt away as you peruse the coral reefs. This highly saline seawater is mineral-rich, so taking a dip can leave your skin feeling silky and smooth. Some even say water of the Red Sea heals the body. It’s certainly good for the soul.

Once you’re ready to dry off, there’s more to see inland. Nearby Luxor and Karnak boast fabulous temples. And the kaleidoscope of cultures at Alexandria and Marsa Alam are only a daytrip away. With Jaz Collection, you can move to your own rhythm and do as much – or as little – as you like.

Paradise may be a state of mind, but in Abu Soma it’s also a state of being – especially for divers. Whether you’re a novice or a maestro, you’ll find waters to suit your skill set. The Jaz water sport team can set you up with lessons, equipment and charters to explore reefs around the resort as well as up north near Hurghada.

This is a viable year-round diving destination. There is plenty to explore offshore of the resort – Panorama Reef, Middle Reef and Abu Kafan. Many divers in Abu Soma say that these local sites are every bit as good as the more popular diving destinations of Ras Mohammed and Careless Reef.

These are amongst the most popular place to dive around Abu Soma:

Ras Abu Soma

This fringe reefs slopes gently into deeper waters and plays host to several high-quality dive sites along the way. The waters here teem with colourful reef fish, moray eels, sea turtles, stonefish and even the odd octopus.

Panorama Reef

This huge coral formation is a highlight, to say the least. Its walls drop off a staggering 200 metres and are punctuated with soft purple corals swept by a southbound current. Divers can spot barracudas, jacks and reef sharks.

Abu Kafan

This could easily be the best dive site in Safaga, filled with vibrant pink, orange and yellow reef fish schooling around soft coral formations. The underwater wall plunges more than 300 metres and is blanketed in soft and black coral. Jacks, tunas, barracudas, reef sharks and even the occasional hammerhead patrol these waters.

Sha’ab Sheer (Wreck of Al Khafein)

This U-shaped reef occupies a shallow lagoon to the south and hosts hard coral gardens to the east and west. In 2005, it became the final resting place of the Al Khafein, which sank due to an engine fire and drifted up to the north side of the reef.

Wreck of the Salem Express

The Salem Express was a passenger ferry that sank in 1991 after smashing into the reef at night. Divers can admire the ships exterior, pars of which are now covered with hard coral.

Wreck of El Arish El Tor

This Norwegian ship slowly sank while at anchor in 2002. There was no one on board, so all of the ship’s paraphernalia, including life jackets and fire hoses, are still visible. Clusters of soft coral have overgrown the propeller, and a massive school of yellow tail barracuda have taken up residence inside.

The beaches around Abu Soma are the headlining attraction, and the Jaz Collection resort has its own private beach that’s exclusively available to guests. You can enjoy these pristine waters by pedal boat, canoe or catamaran. Or slide into a pair of flippers and cruise the underwater currents with a medley of reef fish.

“I’m sailing away, set an open course for the virgin sea
I’ve got to be free, free to face the life that’s ahead of me”
– Styx

Abu Soma is gaining popularity as a windsurfing and kite surfing destination. Cool air from the sea sweeps in to meet warm air on land, producing perfect sailing conditions. The coastline is flat, without many fringe reefs to interfere. If you’ve never the tried the sport, Abu Soma is a great place for beginners to practice their moves.